Sterling College Associate Professor of Athletic Training Pete Manely was awarded the McCreery Teaching Award for his excellence in teaching at Commencement on May 16. The McCreery Teaching Award recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching and is presented to a faculty member whose efforts have provided noteworthy and innovative instruction to Sterling College students during the academic year. The award was established in honor of Sterling College’s fourth president, William M. McCreery, and has been awarded to one outstanding faculty member each year since 1977.

Manely is a regular recipient of positive student feedback on course evaluations. His students say he is engaging and use words like “phenomenal” and “great” to describe his teaching. His coworkers describe him as enthusiastic and highly involved with the campus community.

“Pete is an integral part of Sterling College. He was the driving force in building a quality athletic training program from the ground up and has a national reputation for the quality of student the program produces. He takes great pride in his responsibilities and builds relationships with students, athletes, parents, coaches, administrators and fellow athletic trainers around the country. Pete is very deserving of this award,” said Dr. Gregory Kerr, vice president for academic affairs.

In addition to associate professor, Manely is co-chair of the Department of Exercise Science, director of graduate program development, director of the Athletic Training Program and athletic trainer for women’s basketball. He is president of the National Athletic Trainer Association and a member of National Cheer Safety Council. Earlier this year, he was inducted into Barton Community College’s Sports Hall of Fame, the first athletic trainer to be awarded the honor.   

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kan., with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.